Author: Creative Programs and Systems - page 44

Arthritis Surgery Expectations

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the term arthritis refers to over 100 conditions that affect the joints. Generally, arthritis is characterized by pain, inflammation, or swelling of a joint, surrounding, and other connective tissues. 

Typical arthritis treatments include anti-inflammatory drugs, physical or occupational therapy, assistive aids, and remedies without medication. If these treatments do not work, surgery might be recommended to help remediate the damaged joint, decrease pain, and improve joint functionality. 

Arthritis surgery benefits include: 

  • Minimizing joint pain
  • Increasing joint functionality
  • Reducing future joint damage
  • Lowering the patient’s use of medications
  • Increasing mobility
  • Improving daily activities
  • Bettering quality of life
  • Avoiding more intensive future surgeries

Some different types of arthritis surgery are:

  • Joint Resurfacing: replacing part of a damaged joint with an implant
  • Arthroscopy: fixing tiny tears within the joint’s soft tissue
  • Synovectomy: removing most – or all – of the inflamed joint tissue lining
  • Osteotomy: cutting off a piece of bone or adding a wedge near a damaged joint
  • Arthrodesis aka Fusion: joining two or more bones using pins, plates, or rods
  • Total Joint Replacement aka Arthroplasty: removing sections of damaged joints, replacing them with a metal, plastic, or ceramic prosthesis 
  • Joint revision: replacing an old, damaged joint implant and replacing with a new one

The complications associated with arthritis surgery include: 

  • Pain
  • Infection
  • Blood clots
  • Nerve damage
  • Joint stiffness
  • Reduced healing time

Do you experience pain or arthritis in your hands or wrists? Contact the Michigan Hand & Wrist experts to receive a consultation and get relief today.

Michigan Hand & Wrist was founded in 2001 with the mission to provide the highest-quality care for patients seeking surgical or non-surgical hand or upper extremity relief. Our goal is to exhaust all non-operative measures before discussing or moving on to surgical interventions. We offer on-site physical therapy from therapists committed to improving your quality of life. Our individualized treatments are modern, progressive, and exceptional. Contact us today at www.michiganhandandwrist.com or call 248-596-0412.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com. 

MI Hand & Wrist

Kitchen Renovations to Avoid

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

While eyeing which renovations to take a stab at, most owners choose the kitchen first since it’s the center for food prep and doubles as a social hub. Once the homeowner decides what to upgrade, they must think about the long-term benefits rather than the more obvious short-term ones.

As a guiding factor, kitchen renovations should not exceed 25 percent of the total home’s value since the homeowner will probably never receive the return on their investment. Some kitchen renovations can actually decrease the home’s value; keep reading for some examples. 

Too Personalized
Even though the kitchen is “yours” at the time of renovation, that doesn’t mean it will be someone else’s idea of “theirs” when you sell the house. Tom Satas, founder and CEO of Windy City HomeBuyer, said, “Just because you spent countless thousands of dollars on decorative ideas that you have dreamed about since you were a little kid doesn’t mean that anybody else will have the same tastes nor will most people care about what you spent. Your dream living room may look like a gut job to the rest of the world. So don’t drive yourself into debt or go overboard because the whole point of upgrading your home should be to get the money back when you sell and ultimately more.”

Low-Quality Materials
Cutting corners by using cheaper materials can be sufficient for right now, but keep in mind the future problems they might cause. The last thing you want is for your kitchen cabinets to be falling apart when you try to sell your home. Also remember that marble can easily chip, stain, etch, etc. so avoid using it.

Wallpaper Overload
Wallpaper is notoriously challenging to remove, and can turn-off potential homebuyers. Instead, opt for fresh paint and neutral colors. 

Chic Appliances
Luxurious or state-of-the-art expensive appliances can harm your home’s value; according to Kim Abrams, CEO of Abrams Roofing, “These appliances are much more expensive to maintain and repair, which will deter buyers from your home.” Also, according to real estate consultant Will Rodgers, “Smart appliances are great. But keep in mind that the tech you put in today will be outdated if you sell three to five years from now. High tech kitchens are for your convenience but will only add value if you plan to sell soon.”

DIY Work
If not professionally done, Do-It-Yourself renovations or plumbing can drastically reduce your home’s value if not performed up to code. 

JFC Remodeling is committed to providing top-quality home reconstruction services to clients throughout Livingston County. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our licensed contractors create unique, individualized, and polished renovations. Whether the site requires an improvement, repair, or is a new construction, you can trust our experts to deliver remarkable results. Call: 810-923-1123, e-mail: jfcllc@comcast.net, or visit us at: www.jfcremodeling.com today.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Jason Foldenauer Construction

Do High Interest Rates Mean Cheaper Houses?

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

The housing market has never been as hot as the last couple of years. A combination of a low inventory, supply chain issues, and high demand has sent prices through the figurative roof at a record pace.

No longer bound to downtown offices, remote workers can save thousands on housing costs by migrating to the suburbs and beyond. The most significant contributor for those moving has been record-low interest rates on mortgages.

But with news that the Federal Reserve is raising interest rates on fixed-rate home loans, many are wondering if housing prices will fall as a result. Unfortunately, the truth is that the answer isn’t a universal one as some markets will see slow growth while others may not even notice.

Right now, the interest rate increase is driving demand from those who don’t want to miss out on locking in a low rate for the next 30 years. While higher lending costs tend to make buyers require a lower sales price, the focus has instead been on taking the plunge solely for the interest rates.

The interest rate of a mortgage makes a massive difference in the overall cost. For example, a $400,000 home at 2.8% will end up with about $200,000 in interest over the life of the loan. On the other hand, if interest rates hit 6%, the total interest paid would exceed $450,000. That’s an additional $250,000 for the same house, which is why buyers are so keen to snag the lowest rate possible.

Another area impacted by interest rates is the rental industry. If interest rates increase too much, potential home buyers may rent instead. This possibility has many looking to invest in rental properties with historically low rates.

EB Mortgage is a locally-owned mortgage company with experts in new home purchase, refinancing, and commercial loans. Our wholesale rates can’t be beaten. We offer more products, more options, and more solutions. Our “3C” Process is simple: complete our pre-approval request, consider options based on your requirements, and choose the offer that suits your needs best. Call us at 866-246-0516 or e-mail contact@ebwmtg.com today.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

EB Mortgage

Kaspersky Antivirus Used by Millions Is a National Security Threat

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Russia’s Kaspersky Lab cybersecurity firm has been dubbed a national security threat by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC placed Kaspersky on a list of banned entities to ensure it would not continue to be downloaded or used by Americans. 

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said, “Last year, for the first time, the FCC published a list of communications equipment and services that pose an unacceptable risk to national security, and we have been working closely with our national security partners to review and update this list. Today’s action is the latest in the FCC’s ongoing efforts, as part of the greater whole-of-government approach, to strengthen America’s communications networks against national security threats.”

The Secure and Trusted Communications Network Act requires the FCC to publish and update a list of communication equipment and services that pose an “unacceptable” risk. United States citizens are at the forefront of security and safety guidelines for the FCC. 

Kaspersky is an antivirus and cybersecurity firm with corporate headquarters located in Moscow. In a statement, Kaspersky claimed the FCC’s movement (a continuation of an action started in 2017 under President Trump) is based on unsubstantiated allegations and made on political grounds. 

“Kaspersky provides industry-leading products and services to customers around the world to protect them from all types of cyberthreats,” the company stated. 

Also, the business insists that it does not have any ties with national governments, Russia included.

Are you looking for a recommendation for an antivirus software? Contact the PC experts at CPS today.

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Founded in 1994, Creative Programs and Systems provides professional results for all computer needs. We design, create, and code an array of custom software programs and websites; offer top-notch digital marketing services including enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and paid advertising; repair and provide support for computers of both residential and professional nature; build custom systems and servers, and offer secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call us at 810-224-5252 or e-mail info@cpsmi.com.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com. 

Creative Programs and Systems

Deciphering the Difference Between Critical and Mundane Tasks in Radiology

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Successful people who thrive in their careers are typically engaged in their workload and manage responsibilities well, with a keen focus uninterrupted by distractions. Generally, it isn’t too difficult to decipher actual “work” from mundane tasks that are counterproductive or irrelevant, yet many people are guilty of partaking in the latter more often than not.

Diagnostic radiologists are typically responsible for interpreting images and providing reports outlining the findings. Whether certain clinical questions, managerial roles, or imaging protocols are involved, the overall group functions more efficiently when everyone is equally engaged.

Once in a while, radiologists might feel like they are partaking in mundane activities; for example, if a reporting template doesn’t match their personal style or search pattern. Another scenario might include defending one’s reporting language against a hypercritical QA reviewer.

Based on what the radiologist believes their work should encompass, one radiologist’s critical tasks are another’s mundane tasks.

To bridge the gap between critical and mundane tasks, it’s imperative one notes the subtle perverse incentives that might be happening in the workplace. Government, regulatory, and academic fields all succumb to perverse incentives when someone is rewarded for bad behavior or punished for good.

Common perverse incentives in radiology include no reward for productivity or no survey of who is contributing to the overall team effort. Radiologists who produce more RVUs might be extra stressed, which increases malpractice liability, both of which are perverse disincentives. To regain equilibrium, the radiologist can reduce their efforts or take more breaks, for example.

When certain team members become more aware of their performance impediments, suddenly, better tools, more personnel, etc., are instated. Once leadership is alerted, staff surveys are performed, which could lead to new hardware, software, coworkers, and more.

Without any sign of stress in the system, those who rank higher on the totem pole are unable to specifically outline any issues or provide support. However, with help from other team members through surveys and the like, leadership can improve the situation based on feedback.

Constructive evaluation and prevention is key in reducing perverse incentives and increasing overall morale.

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Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Acceletronics

Check Valves for Bat Exclusion

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Small brown bats, common in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, may hibernate for more than six months. With the arrival of warm weather and insects, bats too emerge in search of food. In their hunt, they may find their way into your home and decide it makes a nice area to roost. Any suspected bat invasion should be dealt with as soon as possible as these pests create an unhealthy living environment through exposure to rabies and histoplasmosis. Bats can also damage insulation and may cause a severe odor problem.

Despite their unsanitary nature, bats are extremely beneficial to our ecosystem, in part by controlling insect populations by eating 500 to 1,000 mosquitoes or other similar sized insects per hour. At Northern Pest, we recognize the importance in conserving these mammals. Depending on your geographical location and the time of the year, shortly after breeding season for bats, any exclusion work (evicting bats by the installation of check valves, one-way doors that allow bats to leave but not re-enter) may have to wait. The reason? Because any juvenile bats that are in your attic are still unable to fly. They will starve to death if their mother exits the den to feed and is unable to return due to the check valves and seal work recently completed. Usually, by the end of August, juvenile bats have matured and have flown the roost!

Juvenile bats can present another problem. Much like children, young bats are a bit clumsy and can end up in odd places by coming inside through open windows, chimney flues, exhaust pipes, or via a gap in the soffit or the ridge vent. Once inside, a young bat may not know how to get back out. Undoubtedly, a bat within the home is troubling to most people, and many customers have called us for a singular sighting of one.

The best time of year to complete bat-work is between May and July. If you need to wait until after August, try to get something done before the first constant frost (usually October-November) as not to disrupt an overwintering colony.

To lower the risk of a bat problem:

  • Seal up any entry points
  • Trim trees away from the roof and exterior siding
  • If you hear scratching and clawing sounds coming from the walls or ceiling, especially at night, call Northern Pest to deal with a suspected bat invasion!

For safe, humane removal of bats, call Northern Pest. After a thorough inspection to identify entry points, we install check valves that allow bats to exit and prevent them from returning. Once the colony has vacated, the valves are removed, and the entry points are sealed to prohibit re-entry. After a bat exclusion, the cleanup process can begin, and any restoration repairs required can be done. Contact us to learn more about our process.

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Northern Pest: Our family serving yours! We are licensed and insured to provide insect and wildlife pest control. Our crew has the expertise to track wildlife entry points and remove pests of all kinds, including our licensed builders, who can make any of the necessary repairs caused by wildlife. Northern Pest is a member of the MDAT and the NWCOA. We are certified by the IICRC to offer professional mold mitigation services caused by animal damage. At Northern Pest, we do it all!

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com

Northern Pest

New Strides in Gathering Solar Power at Night!

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

An April 2022 publication in the Applied Letters in Physics notes that new research from Stanford University is gaining way to obtain solar energy from nighttime skies. By modifying commercial-grade solar panels, researchers were able to harvest a small amount of electricity at night through a process called radiative cooling.

“We tend to think of the sun as the important renewable energy resource,” said Shanhui Fan, the lead researcher. Adding, “The coldness of outer space is also an extremely important renewable energy resource.”

Though they were not specifically searching for this, Shanhui Fan and his team found that radiative cooling generates solar electricity at night based on the temperature difference between the solar cells (of the panels) and its surroundings.

The Stanford team constructed a photovoltaic cell that harvests energy from the atmosphere 24/7, avoiding the need for storage batteries. While only a small amount of energy was harnessed at night compared to daytime, the results are impressive and warrant further research.

At night, solar panels facing the sky radiate the heat they gathered back out to space, making them cooler than the air temperature around them. This effect could have positive applications in cooling buildings, but the difference found here is how this temperature change can potentially generate a significant amount of electricity.

Sill in its infancy, if these findings gain future practical applications, it’s exciting to know that it can easily be deployed as the modifications were made to standard commercial solar panels. Improvements in design are still required, but the idea of using outer space as a renewable energy source is interesting, to say the least. These findings are another great step in obtaining alternative sources of clean energy.

Thinking of installing solar panels? State Electric Company designs and installs rooftop and ground mount solar panel systems that can integrate with a backup generator and/or an EV charger. Contact us to learn more!

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State Electric Company is a leader in the electrification of the nation. Our highly educated and experienced team of professionals uses industry-leading software technology and has partnered with manufacturers to deliver affordable solutions for all your electrical needs. State Electric Co. is also an exclusive distributor for Enel X JuiceBox EV chargers for residential and commercial use. We are fully licensed, insured, and bonded to install charging stations for homes, offices, hotels, and more. With our extensive knowledge in renewable energy, our team provides customers – large or small – with efficient electrical solutions. Contact us today to learn how we can safely and affordably meet your energy needs. 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com. 

State Electric Co.

Power Transformers 101

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Power transformers are conduits of electricity that increase or decrease voltage efficiently. These machines are used for transferring power from one circuit to another without changing the frequency.

When electricity comes into the transformer from the power source, it is called primary voltage. Any voltage leaving the transformer is called secondary voltage. Two examples of transformers include step-down, which lowers voltage, and step-up, which raises voltage.

Step-down transformers have higher primary voltage than secondary. These transformers are useful for situations requiring a lesser voltage than provided by the power source. 

Step-up transformers have lower primary voltage than secondary. When the power source is inadequate, these transformers can provide a boost.

Technically, all transformers can operate in both step-down and step-up modes, so the attribution is given based on how the transformer is being used. 

Other types of transformers include: 

  • Three Phase: used in three phase power systems; most cost-effective
  • Distribution: steps down the voltage for commercial or domestic distribution; operates 24/7 with 50 percent of a full load at maximum efficiency
  • Electrical Power: operates at high or peak load times with maximum efficiency at or near full load; used in a transmission network to step up or down voltage
  •  Instrument: C.T. and P.T. are used to lower high voltage and current to levels that can be measured by common instruments
  • Autotransformer: used in situations where the ratio between the high voltage and low voltage is less than two
  • Two Winding Transformer: used in situations where the ratio between the high voltage and low voltage is greater than two
  • Outdoor/Indoor: specifically designed for either application
  • Oil Cooled: refers to the cooling medium as transformer oil
  • Dry Type: refers to the cooling medium as air cooling
  • Core Type: contains two vertical legs with two horizontal sections called yokes; rectangular with a common magnetic circuit
  • Shell Type: has a central limb and two outer limbs with a double-magnetic circuit
  • Berry Type: core resembles wheel spokes with tightly fitted metal sheet tanks; oil used inside

Are you looking for a specific type of transformer, or have one to sell? You’ve come to the right place! Contact the experts at J&P Electrical to talk about transformers today.

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J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical supply company. At J&P, we source contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of heavy industrial electrical equipment such as bus plugs, bus duct, transformers, circuit breakers, fuses, and switchboards. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

J & P Electrical Company

Maintaining a Positive Survival Mindset

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

We’ve all heard of unexpected situations that require survival skills, but what is survival, exactly? Survival is the act of continuing to live or exist in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult circumstances. Often, it involves overcoming challenges, beating unimaginable odds, and championing through overall grueling situations. 

Without a doubt, the most imperative tool to withstand stress during emergencies is maintaining the proper mindset. 

Besides obvious factors such as being physically strong, one’s reaction to stress or their ability to handle fear in emergency situations can result in either life or death. Positive psychological responses to stress are pivotal in maintaining survivalist attitudes. 

Since all emergency situations are unplanned, keeping a calm, steady mindset is important for increasing one’s chances of survival. Improvisation is key, and a negative or defeatist attitude can bring down specific individuals as well as the entire morale of a group. 

Being stubborn or having a strong will can be helpful in situations requiring that “fight or flight” attitude. Conquering obstacles and moving toward an end goal of survival rather than defeat or exhaustion is necessary for persisting. 

While in emergency situations, numerous problems will arise that will undoubtedly require a bit of problem-solving. Rather than succumbing to failure, always consider your safety. Analyze all the enemies in the situation, such as loneliness, fatigue, pain, cold/heat, hunger/thirst, etc. and develop a plan of action accordingly, without emotion.

Trying to stay logical rather than emotional is always preferred during emergency situations. Recognizing your fear is also an essential factor, but remember a more dangerous enemy than fear is panic. An uncontrolled urge to run or escape from a situation is generally triggered by the mind while experiencing stress. Panic can lead to exhaustion, injury, or death.  

The best way to minimize panic and stay calm is to think rationally, stay logical, assess the situation from an outside perspective, and maintain positive thinking. 

You’ve got the survival mindset; how about the survival gear? Find everything you need in our online shop. Check it out today.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for your prepping and survival needs. We are your trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website for more information. 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com. 

Wolf Survival Gear

LASIK Implantable Lens Alternative on the Horizon

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

After years of seeking FDA approval for its implanted vision-correcting lens, Staar Surgical has successfully reached a regulatory milestone. The Evo/Evo+ Visian implanted collamer lens is designed to treat myopia (nearsightedness) with or without astigmatism and is an alternative to other vision correction options such as glasses or contacts.

Staar first applied for FDA review in 2019 but was given a denial early that year. In August 2019, the FDA approved a clinical study of the lens. Premarket has been approved, and the device has already been implanted in more than one million patients in more than 75 countries outside of the United States. 

Roughly one-third of the United States population (100 million people) between the ages of 21 and 45 who have myopia over -3.0D could be eligible to receive the device.

The Evo device is implanted between the iris and the crystalline lens in the posterior eye chamber, making it a swift procedure that does not require a preoperative peripheral iridotomy, where a laser is used to create a hole in the iris. 

Unlike LASIK surgery, Evo/Evo+ does not require the removal of corneal tissue and is removable by a doctor if necessary. Since myopia is becoming more common, the newly FDA-approved solution to vision loss is necessary. Forecasts imply almost half of the world’s population could be nearsighted by 2050.

Staar has been in the ophthalmic surgery field for more than 30 years, as they design, develop, manufacture, and market implantable lenses for the eye.

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Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com. 

Michigan Lasik